mrcesq's review against another edition

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emotional informative sad medium-paced

4.0

Generally really enjoyed it. Great way to tell a story recognizing biases and holes. 

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jmyers1's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

5.0

I really enjoyed this book! So much history I had never learned about in school, would highly reccomend - the narration is 10/10.

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jadepfaefflin's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark informative inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

4.75


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chelcie's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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bigheadcam's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

An absolutely incredible, fascinating, and perfectly paced narrative nonfiction on the Troubles. Radden Keefe is very careful to specify that this book is not "historical" nonfiction because a lot of the information in this book is derived from oral accounts. He did his best to reconcile these accounts by corroborating them with more official records and reports, but the Troubles are not well documented and were a truly chaotic time.

Radden Keefe's writing is objective and informative while also remaining gripping and maintaining an excellent storytelling tone. I was consistently impressed with how well he kept every subject covered interesting, and how he manages to switch contexts without losing the reader or making it jarring.

Thanks to John Oliver for recommending this on Hot Ones. I'd happily do the same for anyone with an interest in history, radical ideologies, revolution, and modern struggles for independence as well as the cost of said struggles.

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jennifer_3715's review against another edition

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dark informative tense medium-paced

4.5

Really like this book, felt very immersed (maybe a bit too much at times!). There was a good mix of personal stories all the while explaining the historical/political landscape. Would recommend!

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maggies's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative sad tense fast-paced

5.0

Since reading Empire of Pain and Rogues, PRK has topped my list of nonfiction writers. His attention to detail and ability to weave a history that reads like a novel is second to none. The story of Jean McConville and her children, the nationalist movement, the origins of the Troubles, and its fragile peace and enduring legacy is told not necessarily chronologically, but thematically. PRK leaves a trail of breadcrumbs throughout as he builds to his final conclusion, with shocking twists and reveals along the way. Among the most shocking was the constant reminder of how recent this history is—while many active participants have passed away, many others are still alive, and memory is long.

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welaneyding's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.5


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scotty2164's review against another edition

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challenging dark informative reflective tense medium-paced

4.5


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kefink's review against another edition

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challenging dark informative sad tense slow-paced

4.5


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